Cказки Призраков. Tales of Ghosts. Премия им. Эдгара По / Edgar Poe Award (Билингва: Rus/Eng). Александра Крючкова
правоте…
…В тот вечер, прощаясь – и теперь уже навсегда – со своим практически вторым домом, жалея лишь о том, что в доме первом так и не появилось малышей, о которых я, естественно, мечтала, но постоянно откладывала их воплощение на «потом» из-за собственных комплексов и страхов (а вдруг не получится, или ребёнок родится не здоровым, или я действительно превращусь в ром-бабу после родов и Георгий начнёт мне изменять), я остановилась у приоткрытой двери в кабинет Ольги – забытый ею на столе телефон прозвенел о пришедшей смс-ке.
О, любопытство!.. Я подошла и прочитала:
«Ваших кандидатов ждут завтра в 14:00 по адресу: ул. Первоапрельская, д.77, п.1, эт.5»
– О, моя маленькая ведьмочка! Ты, как всегда, была права, – усмехнулся Георгий. – И какой теперь дует Ветер?
– Ветер Любви, – засмеялась я, отстранившись от ситуации.
Нарисовав в раскрытом ежедневнике Ольги два сердца на сегодняшней дате – как в детстве, пронзённые стрелой, с капающей кровью – я взяла Георгия за руку, и мы вышли через окно в Небо, даже не желая думать о том, кто нас здесь заказал…
4. The Wind of Changes
«The 1st April street, building 77, entrance B,
the 5th floor…»
I knew that address by heart, having worked for over four years as chief accountant in the office of a small company, located there. The company, which I loved very much, became my almost second home, but it was going through hard times, if not to say its last hours. The Swiss owners postponed until Monday the release of the already taken decision on liquidation, that would start the painful process of dividing assets, including money, of course.
The working day was already over, but the financial director, George, and I were sitting in his office enjoying a melon.
«Well, tell me, Arisha, have you been conjuring?» George asked, referring to our future.
«Yes, of course,» I muttered grudgingly, aware of his skepticism.
«What way this time? Solitaire or coffee?»
«You see, cards and coffee, and all that stuff are just kids’ play if there’s nothing behind. The Subtle World is called so for being immaterial; its door can’t be opened with earthly keys only, such as cards or coffee. If you can’t read signs, feel with your soul, hear your inner voice, no cards will be useful.»
«Well, okay, let’s say so. What are you feeling right now?»
«A Wind of Changes.»
«Good or bad?»
«Cardinal ones!»
«Anything more specific? Will you finally get rid of the fear of getting fat after childbirth and agree to become my wife?»
«Olga is coming, cut her a piece of melon,» I said calmly, not reacting to his skeptical jokes.
In a couple of seconds, there was a knock on the door, and a cheerful and blooming Olga, the HR manager, appeared on the threshold.
«Hello, friends!» she said and took a seat next to me.
«From our table to your table,» I handed her a piece of melon on a plate.
«Thank you, Arisha! And I have some news for you!»
«Good or bad?» George asked to clarify.
«I’m looking for a job… If we are going to be liquidated, there’s nothing else to wait! It’s better to prepare a straw in advance! So, I noticed a vacancy, published by some recruitment agency. In fact, as it turned out, they have two vacancies!» Olga said enigmatically.
We exchanged glances with George.
«Well, it’s getting more and more interesting!» he grinned.
«In brief, a foreign company with the same sphere of activity needs a financial manager and… chief accountant!» Olga summed up in a solemn voice.
«Wow!» I exclaimed in surprise and exhaled deeply.
«It’s not just „wow“!» said Olga offended. «It’s a sign from Heaven! Destiny! Where else will you both find such a fateful combination to work together further?»
«Perhaps,» George agreed without much enthusiasm. «However, I would prefer not to work with Arisha, but to live! Happily and forever!»
«One doesn’t exclude the other!» I declared. «So, Olga?»
«Yes, yes, Arisha, I’m about to sell you both! With giblets!» she exclaimed triumphantly. «No names yet, of course! I called that agency, without specifying our company. I asked if there was anything for me as well, throwing the fishing rod… Well, their HR specialist will contact the customer and let me know the result for you! I’ll tell you then! Just don’t forget to take me there when you get the job.»
«Agreed!» George promised.
Olga finished her melon and went home. I washed the plates in the kitchen, anticipating the Wind of Changes, when a strange thought suddenly pierced my mind, and I flew back into George’s office.
«Isn’t it strange that another foreign company appeared in our narrow sector, when…»
I didn’t finish the sentence, as the lights went out throughout the building.
«What difference does it make now?» George sighed, hugging me gently, but…
…the front door to our floor slammed loudly, heavy steps were heard, and my heart began beating with a strange premonition, since no one usually was there at such a late time, except for Olga and us…
«A security